Get connected, learn how to speak Jamaican

and other irie vibes.

OUTSPOKEN

For adult survivors of child abuse

Support for The Original You

Jamaica boasts a rich, vibrant and proud culture complete with it's own unique language called patois (patwah) and all of this atmosphere can only be described as irie, pronouced, eye-ry. You'll want to say this word in a mellow tone to suggest that you're feeling good and everything is all right. Use irie to descibe every positive state of feeling or being. Anything negative or ugly or that doesn't taste good, or that's violent or messy cannot be called irie.

You ought to treat yourself to a Jamaican vacation, it's a good way to leave worries behind for a while to expereince island living for real. Listen to the dialect, try a few words yourself, walk barefoot in the mud after the rain, hang on to your seat as an overloaded passenger bus whizzies by narrow winding country roads. Hike up to the peak of the Blue Mountains, visit the Bob Marley museum, Rose Hall Great House, Port Royal, where Captain Morgan once hung out and become hypnotized by the music as you take in a dance or two, but leave the rub - a - dub to married folk and don't neglect your safety. Be aware of your sorroundings at all times.

Visitors who are so accostomed to the rippin' an' runnin' of faster cultures beware! We take our time in Jamiaca so please, prepare to slow way, way down. It is no big deal for us to be a little late and rain is a good excuse for anyone to miss work. We are working hard to keep up with the rest of the world and are trying to adjust some habits to fit in with the global marketplace but trust me, our fast might still be quite slow for you. Therefore, prepare to wait for anything, from important documents to ordering food, to getting someone's attention in Jamaica. We are usually in not much of a hurry. We believe in the philosophy, Jamacia, no problem man! And we do mean man, when you think you think we are saying mon. It's just our accent that makes the a sound like an o to you.

But seriously, you have to visit Jamaica even once in your life. it's just one of those places to experience before you... you know...

IRIE JAMAICAN VACATION

IRIE JAMAICA

Code 876-Tings Jamaican

    Your Jamaican connection

These four cousins in Portmore, Jamaica have put their hearts and heads together to come up with a family life magazine to inspire and uplift their community. Cousins magazine was founded by four teenagers but that’s not the only significance to the title. Cousins suggest that we are all connected and therefore all family. We should all be concerned about  other.

Living peacefully and overcoming life obstacles together is the fundamental message of the of the magazine.  Raising self awareness among teens particularly by celebrating the use of each others gifts and talents to serve our divine purpose is another major focus of the Cousins Magazine Project.

Below is one of the first articles submitted to the magazine by Danielle, one of the founders.

How I feel about Singing

Singing is one of the best things in this world. It can take you anywhere you want to go and that is why I love it and not only that, I also have the talent to do it.

When I am singing, it makes me feel like I am somewhere alone relaxing & looking at my favorite stuff. In my own way, singing stretches my voice, it is like I am exercising & massaging it. If I had the best voice I would be the most famous person on earth.

One of my favorite types of music is R&B. In life I think I can make it anywhere I want to be

because with my voice all I need is just some good

practicing.

                                                    Danielle (14)